Newsboys

Item: Going Public
Author: David Wang

Going Public

(1994)

Reviewed by David Wang

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Star Song RecordsThe LighthouseSeptember 1994

ccm dance pop modern rock pop rock

After the huge success of the previous Newsboys' album, Not Ashamed, the follow-up was awaited with much anticipation, especially when it was learned that Steve Taylor would be returning as the producer. When I first played this CD, however, I was quite surprised to find a fairly sharp change in direction for the band's sound. Gone are the techno-pop rhythms of Not Ashamed. In its place is a harder, more aggressive sound. Nonetheless, this is definitely an album that seems to get better with each playing. Peter Furler supplies the music and shares the lead vocal duties with John James. These two are the heart and soul of the Newsboys. Lyrically, every song has been written or co-written by Steve Taylor. The other members, Kevin Mills, Duncan Phillips and Jody Davis, are all new to the band.

The album starts out with "Real Good Thing," "Shine," and "Spirit Thing" which are upbeat, catchy, hook-laden tunes with the same let's-be-proud-to-be-Christian themes of the previous album. The next song, "Let It Rain" slows the tempo down a bit but things pick up immediately with "Going Public." At this point, the album really starts to cook. "Truth and Consequences," a song about the dangers of dating non-Christians, has a wonderfully satirical Steve Taylor playing the role of a smooth operator. This is followed by the noisy industrial sounds of "Lights Out" which is one of the highlights of the album. "Be Still" is a ballad reminiscent of "Where you belong/Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" of the previous album. "When You Called my Name" tackles the unusual topic of encouraging the jaded preacher. Finally, the album ends with the incredibly powerful and moving "Elle G.," a song about suicide.

Overall, this is a very impressive album from a group that is in a state of evolution. I, for one, am very encouraged to see this happening in an industry where, too often, many groups take the safe stagnant route to stardom.